Staying Healthy & Safe Abroad

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​​CU Denver’s Focus on Health and Safety Abroad

Our highest priority at the Office of Global Education is the safety of our students. We take every possible precaution to make sure that our students stay healthy and safe while abroad. The University of Colorado system is a member of International SOS (ISOS), an organization that provides medical, security, and travel advice and assistance to its members. We ask that all CU Denver students going abroad register with the MyTrips service offered by ISOS so that we may be better able to assist students in times of crisis (for more information, visit Register Your Travel.) In addition, students are not permitted to travel without adequate international health insurance, which includes emergency assistance and evacuation services. For CU Denver programs, students are insured through GeoBlue Insurance. Students on third party programs will obtain insurance through the study abroad provider. Furthermore, students traveling to countries that have a current U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings must follow the Travel Suspension Appeal​, which requires the student to perform in-depth investigation of security and health issues that may arise during their travels, and how to mitigate them.

It is recommended that all students planning international travel visit with a health care professional prior to departure:

If you have a specific medical condition or concern, or you take prescription medication, schedule an appointment with your physician to discuss how you will manage your condition/concern abroad. Ask them if you are up to date on your routine vaccinations, and get adult booster injections as recommended.

Consider visiting a travel health clinic learn about and obtain region-specific recommended vaccinations and medications. Be sure to indicate the countries you will be visiting. Keep in mind that some vaccinations and medications require special handling, may require multiple injections over a period of time, and may need to be ordered in advance; give yourself plenty of time by scheduling this travel clinic appointment several months before your trip. Below are some travel clinics in the Denver area:

Are any vaccinations required to visit your host country? What vaccinations are recommended?

Learn about water and sanitation in your host country. Is the tap water potable? Should you avoid certain foods?

Check with your U.S. medical insurance provider regarding what pre-travel related procedures/office visits they will cover:

Will they cover travel-specific preventative medications and vaccinations?

Do you need to visit a specific physician and/or travel clinic in order to receive the insurance benefit?

Acquaint yourself with the policies of the company providing insurance during your time abroad

​Students on CU Denver Global Study and semester programs are provided with comprehensive international health insurance. The plan covers medical expenses in-country as well as evacuation costs due to medical, natural disaster, or political emergencies. This insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions or any medical visits needed in the U.S. prior to or post travel. It is highly recommended that students maintain coverage with their U.S. health insurance policy.

Third-party providers typically include international health insurance in their program costs. For more information, check the website for the program your student has chosen, or contact the provider directly. If the provider does not offer international health insurance coverage, have your student contact the Office of Global Education for enrollment instructions in our recommended plan.

Students are not automatically covered by their international health insurance plan if they choose to extend travel before or after the actual program dates. It is highly recommended that students contact the provided health insurance plan and pay to extend coverage as needed.

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The measures you will need to take in order to stay safe abroad will vary depending on where you study. However, there are a number of safety tips to keep in mind both before and during your study abroad program:

Be aware of your belongings at all times.

Whenever possible, do not travel with valuables.

Research how locals dress and try to blend in as best you can.

Research your host country’s laws – they may differ from laws in the U.S.

Avoid walking in dimly lit areas and alleyways, and stick to familiar routes, especially at night.

Remember that alcohol can make you more vulnerable to theft, sexual assault, and other crimes. If you are going to drink, drink in moderation, and never drink alone. Keep your drink with you at all times, and do not accept drinks from strangers.

If possible, have a local call you a taxi if needed. If you are hailing a taxi on the street, be sure that the taxi belongs to a reputable company.

Do not hitchhike.

Be aware of the political situation of the country in which you study abroad.

Avoid protests and street demonstrations. Know that there are people you can contact 24/7 in case of an emergency.

Check out our Emergency Contacts page of our website and be sure to carry with you the phone numbers for your faculty leader(s) or on-site staff, as well as other emergency contacts and the phone numbers of the local police department.

Register your travel plans with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program​ (STEP). STEP enrolls a traveler’s itinerary with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, sends travelers health and security updates for the countries they are traveling to, as well as helps friends and family to contact travelers in case of an emergency.